The Riyadh conference, which brings together a wide spectrum of the Syrian opposition to lay out a common document about Syria’s future, began today in the Saudi capital.
In the opening speech, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir expressed hope that the participants’ efforts will be crowned with success.
During the first session of the meeting, the conferees discussed the constant national principles to find a political solution to the crisis. Tabled for discussions are the Syrian oppositions’ vision for a political settlement and the terms of reference of the negotiating process as well as its mechanisms and framework. The first day is set to conclude with the participants specifying a timeframe for the transitional period and the course of action to be taken during that period, as well as issues related to the state’s policies and institutions.
In the second and final day, the participants will discuss the role the UN will play in Syria’s future. The closing statement will be reviewed and approved, and finally any future steps that might be taken will be discussed.
The Syrian Coalition, a major participant in the conference, seeks to make the conference successful and to help rally all spectra of the Syrian opposition around a document based on the 2012 Geneva Communique and the Security Council resolution 2118. (Source: Syrian Coalition)